Answers

Q:

How does Satan get us to do things that we shouldn't do? Does he put bad thoughts into our heads, or something like that?

A:

The Bible doesn’t tell us in detail exactly how Satan works – but you can be sure that he uses every trick he possibly can to turn us away from God and get us to do his will.

After all, this is his goal. Right from the beginning, Satan (who apparently was a leader of the angels) rebelled against God and tried to take God’s place as ruler of the universe. That indicates the depth of his pride, as well as his power; why would he even attempt to take God’s place if he didn’t think he possessed great power? But his rebellion failed: “How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down” (Isaiah 14:12).

Since that moment, Satan’s one goal has been to oppose God in every way he possibly can. And that’s what he wants to do in our lives. He encourages our selfish motives… he uses our fleshly lusts… he takes advantage of our evil thoughts… he tempts us through other people – the list is almost endless. He even, the Bible says, sometimes “masquerades as an angel of light” in order to deceive us into believing his lies (2 Corinthians 11:14).

But the most important fact about Satan is that he is a defeated foe! By His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ overcame the powers of sin and death and Hell and Satan – and some day His victory will be complete when He comes again. Are you ready for that day? You can be, by turning to Christ in repentance and faith, and opening your heart and life to Him.